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Topic: Help in knowing what routes to consider (Read 1641 times)

We are new at planning a self supporting tour. Did our first 6 day supported tour across our home state of MI this summer and it was great. Plan to do some short self supported tours next season. Our long term goal is to do a self supported tour from MI to Bellingham WA. We hope to do this in 3 or 4 years when we retire. No idea how we even find out what routes to consider. This winter we wold like to get some maps, and start looking at possible routes . How do we know what maps to order? How do we actually plan a route? We were recently in an REI store, thought we would find some route maps there, but there were all state route maps. Would appreciate any input we can get from those who have experience at this kind of thing.Thanks in advance,Tandempair

I agree with the idea of first seeing if an ACA route will cover some or most or all of your route. If so, this is almost certainly your best option.

Next is to ask Google maps for driving (not bicycling) directions from point A to point B with the "Avoid highways" option checked. You can tweak the route as desired by dragging the route around. Consider using smaller roads whenever you can find them. Use Google maps satellite and street views to see if the roads are paved and what the shoulders, if any, might look like. Then consult state DOT bicycling maps to see traffic volumes. If you are concerned about hills, you can then map the ride at mapmyride.com and look at the elevation profile.

All the ACA maps and ideas are great, as is lots of research online etc. That said. the greatest rides I ever had were the early ones about 30 years ago when we looked at regular old highway maps and made it up. We asked locals and figured it out as we went along. You actually get more adventure that way. Of course, some of the "adventures" were epic, i.e. no food stops for 70 miles, commando camping in horse pastures, etc etc. I feel if you plan in too much detail, a lot of the adventure is drained out if it. different folks, different spokes1